Stallions Beautify with Stallion Pride in This Edition

Madera Unifed School District Newsletter Spring 2015

Stallions Beautify with Stallion Pride In This Edition ANGELICA COSTILLA Stallions Beautify with Stallion Pride �� 1 As a school that first began in the year of 2006, Madera South High School has flourished into becoming a school based on pride, spirit, and the creation of the best The Importance of Reading learning environment as possible. This means enabling change where it is due, and that to Your Children �� 2 is exactly what Principal Todd Lile and the staff at Madera South High School have Superintendent’s Message �� 2 done. Stepping onto campus this spring season, you will find that things look a whole lot different than when students first stepped onto campus at the beginning of the year in LCAP: Gateway Towards August, and it is only for the better. Success �� 3 “Our mission is to change everything that was once grey and blue to purple and black,” Eagles Driven Toward Success � 4 says Principal Todd Lile. This duty sounds so simple, yet makes all the difference. On Girls set out for a championship 5 campus, the Madera South Library has been repainted, and on the walls you will find a blanket of student art pieces. Student art plays a major role in the school’s beautification Madera Arts Community process, as you will also find their entire Academic A building displaying the students’ Partnering with Creative hearts. Styled as a real art gallery, the building displays students’ paintings and pictures Students �� 5 next to inspiring, motivating summaries of why they created what they did. MUSD Alumni Then and Now 6 But the school’s improvements do not stop there. The entire cafeteria has been redone, outlined in the glorious purple Madera’s Evening Lions Club and black, and also flaunting supports the Aspirations of student artwork. Furthermore, Berenda Lego Robotics Team �� 8 with the help of students and Madera Robotics �� 8 mural painter Mauro Carre- ra, a gigantic mural serves as Stallion On the Steps of History 9 the centerpiece of the Stallion Teacher s Teach i ng Teacher s �� 9 home. Students who volun- Full Ride Scholarship to teered spent countless hours Fresno State �� 10 after school, pouring their hearts and souls into the cre- Madera FFA Opens Doors of ation of that project, with the Opportunities �� 10 help of Mr. Carrera, making Baseball Scholarships �� 10 their school a better place to live and an easier place to learn. “Wherever we get to add purple, we do,” say Mr. Lile, “It is important for stu-

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MUSD Radiant is published by Madera Unified School District, 1902 Howard Road, Madera, CA 93637-5123; (559) 675-4500; www.madera.k12.ca.us. The information in this program was gathered and compiled to ensure maximum accuracy. MUSD cannot and does not guarantee correctness of all information furnished to the editors, nor the complete absence of errors or omissions, hence, no responsibility for the same can be, nor is, assumed. In the event that information is incorrect or omitted, please contact MUSD with the correction. 2015-05-22 The Importance of Superintendent’s Reading to Your Message Children ED GONZÁLEZ ROB POYTHRESS As we wind down another school Madera Unified School District has year, it is important to take time to always considered the ability to read com- acknowledge the phenomenal ac- petently as a foundational goal of the edu- complishments of our students and cational experience. Furthermore, evidence staff. Madera Unified is moving in is available that demonstrates the impor- a positive direction that will affect Mayor Rob Poythress tance of parents taking a leading role in Superintendent the entire community of Madera for developing their children’s reading skills Ed González years to come. rather than just relying on schools to develop this skill. An article from In April, the California Depart- the 9-30-13 edition of Huffpost Living lists five benefits as follows: ment of Education released its Graduation and Dropout Rates for all school districts. MUSD’s graduation rate shot up 3.5% Building Bonds: Researchers consider reading with your children one of the best ways to develop bonds with your children. Parents will to 87.9%, the highest in district history, and the largest increase forever cling to such innocent moments, and kids are learning of all districts over 10,000 students in the Fresno-Madera area. about complex aspects of life and relationships when they are The dropout rate was correspondingly the lowest ever. When engaged in stories with themes that can be more mature than we combine that data with an increase in the number of AP anything they’ve encountered in life. (Advanced Placement) tests taken in both high schools, and an Secret to Success: In March 2013, the Melbourne Institute of Applied overall increase in the average score of those AP tests, we have Economic and Social Research introduced research that showed direct evidence that our students are achieving at unprecedent- that children 4 to 5 years of age who are read to 3 to 5 times a ed levels. Student success is tied with teacher empowerment, week are 6 months ahead of their peers in terms of reading acu- and we have placed an emphasis on teacher-led professional men, and those who are read to daily are a year ahead of those development. We have returned the arts and P.E. to their right- who are read to less frequently! ful place in the curriculum, and have added additional staff Rich Vocabulary equals Advantage: Literature is much more intricate and (counselors, nurses, psychologists, reading specialists, etc.) to vastly more educational than common speech. Educator Jim ensure the proper support for all of our students. Discipline Trelease states that “In books, newspapers, and magazines, the infractions are at an all-time low, and we have labor peace for language is more complicated, more sophisticated. A child who the first time in many years. hears more sophisticated words has a giant advantage over a child All of these statistics are a good sign of the district’s direction, who hasn’t heard those words.” but we are far more than statistics. More graduates translates Teaching by Example: Trelease points out that “a child who has been read into more young people entering the work force prepared for to will want to learn to read herself. She will want to do what she civic involvement. Fewer dropouts means fewer young people sees her parents doing. But if a child never sees anyone pick up a on the streets without direction and hope. More students achiev- book, she isn’t going to have that desire.” ing fluency in English allows for more young people who can Boosting Communications Skills: Early readers will be armed with the access higher education and a career that affords opportunities vocabulary necessary to communicate to their peers, teachers, for advancement. An emphasis on a well-rounded curriculum and parents. Education provider Gemm Learning says children results in healthier, happier students and teachers, and this will who have the ability to find the words they want to use are more be felt in strong relationships that create a vibrant and robust likely to have a strong sense of confidence and higher academic school system, which in turn becomes the very economic engine standing. of the community. I encourage you to spend time reading to your children, grand- We have much to celebrate in Madera Unified, and much children, or other children who you may have contact with, to help still to do. I would like to thank the community of Madera for them develop the ability to be great readers and establish a strong their unwavering support of our efforts, and I commit to them foundation for success! a school district that will soon be the jewel of the valley.

BEAUTIFY cont’d from front page ... come a key focus in the school site’s dents to see these colors alive, and without beautification, as picnic tables and them even realizing it, let them permanent benches will brighten their day.” The four pillars of be added. Soon students Creating this new environ- the MUSD Strategic Plan will also be able to enjoy ment of comfort and pride took a purple concrete ping- many hours and many days of pong table, not one but collaboration among staff. Art two giant life-size chess teacher Ms. Kincade and stu- boards, and open space dent teacher Adam Mena played used as soccer and foot- crucial roles in guiding these III ball fields for their enjoy- improvements through the mag- ment during what many ic of art. Custodians Ace Perez students look forward walkway. The campus is a work in progress. and Alberto Gonzalez are also to throughout the day: lunch. “Our students have the ability to beat working behind the scenes, as Lighting for all athletic fields is the odds and live out their dreams,” states they are the painters behind also being installed, as Stallion Mr. Lile. “That is why it is important to every change in color. pride and honor will continue to do everything we can to provide them with Landscape will also be- flood every hallway and every the best learning environment possible.”

2 MUSD Radiant Spring 2015 LCAP: Gateway Towards Success ANGELICA COSTILLA by the Performance Madera Unified School District is Management Staff currently taking huge leaps toward success Directory, then put and betterment for every student’s needs into the hands of through what is known as the Local Control the Parent Adviso- Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP ry Committee and plays a key role in the new way the state of the District English California funds school districts through the Language Advisory Local Control Funding Formula process Committee, which (LCFF). With this plan, school districts consists of one par- will receive a wide range of additional funds ent representative based on the number of low income, English from each school. learner, and foster youth students enrolled The parents work within the district. Turning to those directly together to form a involved with Madera Unified’s system of formal written feed- education, the state has allowed parents, back list that is then educators, employees, students, and the given to the Board of community to come together in deciding Education, who in exactly how to spend the newly given budget the end makes the and on what resources are needed, in order final decision. to meet the district’s vision and goals. The 2015–2016 From February 3rd until March 5th, LCAP will be ap- ten different community meetings were proved on June 9th held by school type to review and discuss of 2015. In this plan the three categories for planning purposes lies the implementa- under which the LCAP’s eight state pri- tion of more coun- orities fall. These categories consisted of selors, more literacy “Conditions of Learning”: basic services, support specialists implementation of state standards, and (targeted to support course access; “Student Outcomes”: student early learners), more achievement and other student outcomes; interpreters, addi- and “Engagement”: student engagement, tional art and mu- school climate, and parental involvement. sic courses, a greater Out of these meetings came a remarkable selection for career 558 attendees. However, engagement efforts education, a Span- ish elective offered did not stop there. Administrative meetings, and the state’s eight priorities. at K–8 schools, and more paraprofessionals teacher meetings, student meetings, and the LCAP meetings will be held year-round (teacher aids). formations of Community Based Organi- beginning with the opening of school as each The whole motive behind LCAP’s work zations and Parent Committees (District year a new plan must be created to become through Madera Unified’s community is to English Language Advisory Committee approved. Join the conversation today and assure the people that the Board of Educa- and School Site Council) were put into play be part of the reason your community’s tion is listening. “What you say is important. to keep the conversation going on what is voice gets heard! For more information and With it, we can only move forward,” says best for Madera Unified’s school needs. A details on meeting dates, visit the Local Ilori. In fact, on April 20th of 2015, an total of 1,639 meeting attendees, including Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) site LCAP Dashboard website was unveiled eager students, all came together for the sole shortcut tab at maderausd.org. purpose of ensuring what is greatly deserved for the public to see what is being done at within their district. As surveys would show, all times in regards 99% of meeting attendees felt their input to the Local Control was heard and valued by leadership, allow- Accountability Plan, ing LCAP to prove to be a something not driving force that brought every district The four pillars of has. Baba- the community together the MUSD Strategic Plan for the sake of education. tunde Ilori How do these meet- notes that ings work? What do these the main goal meetings do? In the words is to have an of Babatunde Ilori, Direc- ongoing dis- tor of Performance Man- cussion with agement, “These meetings IV all commu- allow us to directly address nity stake- what is needed while be- holders on ing transparent with our the resourc- data.” After each meeting, es needed community feedback is to meet our put into summarization district goals

Spring 2015 MUSD Radiant 3 MUSD Board of Education

Maria Velarde‑Garcia, PRESIDENT Robert E. Garibay, CLERK Ricardo Arredondo Brent Fernandes Al Galvez Ed McIntyre Ray G. Seibert Eagles Driven Toward Success ANGELICA COSTILLA dents caught practicing “Schoolwide Rules” to Contributors Striving for the purpose of quality educa- classrooms being caught practicing the same. “I believe that if students know and follow the Rob Poythress, MAYOR, tion, Millview Elementary, “Home of the Eagles,” CITY OF MADERA has proven to be deeply rooted within Madera behavior expectations, then teachers can teach Unified’s history over the years, and as time and students can learn,” says Ms. Galvez herself. Angelica Costilla, Yet the hard work does not stop there. Through MUSD STUDENT progresses, so do the ways in which the school is run. As the school is committed to creating a Millview’s Professional Learning Communities George Martin, learning environment that encourages success, (PLCs), grade levels are able to plan quarterly MUSD STUDENT Principal Ms. Rosalinda Galvez explains that with grade level peers once a month for a full day Jonnie Montano, it is the tremendous efforts given by the staff at while substitutes cover their classrooms. Early MUSD STUDENT Millview Elementary that enable them to work outs are also used for collaboration. Furthermore, Haley Wilcox, together collectively to offer students the learn- as principal, Ms. Galvez meets individually with MUSD STUDENT ing opportunities they need to achieve beyond teachers three times a year to go over their data what is imaginable in life. Here we witness that and student needs. She notes the importance Rosa Baca, TRANSLATOR behind every successful program lies a mean- of monitoring progress amongst students and Jander Duque, ingful collaboration that made it that way. But recognizing support where it is needed. “We TRANSLATOR how exactly is this done? must work together toward our goal of providing Angel Vargas , For schools like Millview Elementary in the students with the best learning opportunities as TRANSLATOR Madera Unified School District, it is done through possible.” Millview also maintains a Response to Intervention process (RTI) that allows further Bill Coate, MENTOR continuous analysis of what can be done and the motive for positive change. At Millview, a great assistance in addressing student needs academi- Tim Riché, CAREER amount of hard work has been done through their cally and behaviorally. Additionally, the Student EXPERIENCE TEACHER school-wide Positive Behavior Intervention Sys- Success Team and Coordination of Services Babatunde Ilori, tem (PBIS), which has led to the Fresno County of Team meets twice a month to review and adjust DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE Education’s awarding of the Bronze Level Award each student’s individualized plan for success. MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL for the school year of 2012–13. Through Along with a strong sense of unity among COMMUNICATIONS their Positive Behavior Intervention the staff is an openness to technology System, the staff at Millview Elemen- The four pillars of that allows them to reach students tary is able to analyze discipline data, the MUSD Strategic Plan in the ways most needed. With two make recommendations, distinguish computer labs, two laptop carts with between the “minor” and “major” laptops for all students in classrooms referrals, plan activities, and solic- checking out the carts, and general it feedback during monthly meet- computers in every classroom, stu- ings. Communication with parents dents are able to demonstrate knowl- also serves as a priority within this II edge in areas tested without being system, which is why their Parent hindered by lack of computer skills. Booster Club supports their efforts A feeling of pride and belonging in providing incentives for promoting by the students, parents, and school positive behaviors. Recognitions for staff has resulted from this mean- students and classrooms vary from ingful collaboration and professional every two weeks for individual stu- learning done to improve and shift practices at Millview Elementary.

4 MUSD Radiant Spring 2015 Madera Arts Community Partnering with Creative Students HALEY WILCOX 1st. Kathy Fuller, Sheila Kincade, Tina Holmquist, Luke Reyna, The Madera County Arts Council (MCAC) has pro- Christine Hallett, Cheryl Rout, and Carol Hendrickson were moted and organized numerous events to encourage student the art teachers who submitted student art work into the exhibit. artists by forming connections with other artists and providing Madera High’s two art teachers, Mrs. Holmquist and Mr. a place where student art can be exposed to and applauded Reyna, chose five students each. Mrs. Holmquist in a personal by the public. MCAC’s events, such as the Madera Chalk Art interview describes her enthusiasm: “I chose these students Competition and Youth Art Month Gallery, actively foster based upon the quality of the work they created. I was looking strong relationships with families and community. for works of art from the different areas we studied in Art I, Shelby Boyd, a senior at Madera High, is just one student Art II, and Art III. All four of these students went beyond my who has been able to utilize the MCAC’s events to strengthen expectations on the requirements of these assignments.” Pepper and express herself as an artist. Shelby has entered the Falcon did an exceptional scratchboard drawing of a rabbit Chalk Art Competition three years in a row and has enjoying spring after studying the works of Albrecht won each time. Shelby first heard of the competition Dürer. Oscar Torres created a wonderful crayon-resist over Madera High’s intercom, and immediately she landscape based upon the works of Vincent van knew this was an opportunity she would make Gogh. Riley Dyer and Miguel Luna studied the the most of. Shelby explains, “As I grew up, I was works of Pablo Picasso and Franz Marc to create surrounded by art, and it seemed natural to go their superb colored-pencil cubist drawings. into the art field.” Shelby goes on to say, “The Mr. Reyna, an art teacher at Madera High best part about being in the chalk art competition School, also states, “It is great to see students grow is the end when you get to see everyone’s work in their artistic abilities. I am glad to recognize some and hang out and talk to other artists about what of the many students who demonstrate creativity.” techniques and colors they used.” The Youth Art Month has been a national event The Madera Chalk Art competition theme this year was celebrated as early as the 1990s. Promoting the arts in ed- “Springtime,” hosted on Saturday, March 21st in the Circle ucation with K–12 students has remained an important event Gallery parking lot. Each student skillfully sketched their inter- in the community of Madera. This year’s Youth Art Month pretations of what springtime meant to them. This year, Rhea, Show was directed by Diane Mello, the executive director of a senior at Madera High, and her team won the competition. the MCAC and the Circle Gallery; art teacher Kathy Fuller; The Chalk Art Competition is a conjoined event with the and MCAC Board members Sheila Kincade and Adam Mena. Circle Gallery Art Exhibit in recognition of Youth Art Month. Mello encourages student artists to confidently pursue careers Madera High, Chowchilla High, Yosemite High, Madera South in art as well as appreciate and study art because it opens up High, Liberty High, Pioneer Technical Center, and Ranchos doors to academic benefits, expands one’s creativity, and allows Middle School each submitted 10 exquisite artworks from students to better understand themselves and their capabilities. among their art classes. Each masterpiece was framed and Mello also motivates artists to become a part of a community displayed for the community to see from March 21st to April of artists as well as encourages them in their artistic endeavors.

Girls Set Out for a Championship On the night of February 27, 2015, the Madera South girls’ soccer team stepped onto the field without knowing that they would be making history for Madera South. An intense game had been played for more than an hour as the teams went back and forth creating a scoreless tie. It wasn’t until junior Kimberly Montoya broke this tie in the 66th minute that the Central Valley Christian team knew they were in for a battle. The game only intensified from this point on, and the girls knew that they had to continue to fight for the win. Another junior on the team, Sophie Zertuche, secured the win when she scored in the 77th minute, creating a 2-0 advantage team attitudes; they are disciplined and have great character.” for the Stallions. Madera South advanced to state level competition and got to As the game came to a conclusion, friends and family in the experience what it was like to attend the SoCal regional playoffs bleachers of the memorial stadium roared with excitement. Madera for the first time. The stallions played a tough game against Trin- South girls had just won their first Division 2 Valley Championship. ity league contenders, Mater-Dei and came out with a 4-0 loss. As all the players ran onto the field in tears of joy and excitement, This was a tough loss on the Madera South’s’ girls team, but for they knew that they had just reached a huge milestone for the being first year contenders they knew an open road lies ahead for Madera South program. First-year Madera South coach Ramon their program. Like coach Delgadillo mentioned, “This year we Delgadillo said, “The girls worked hard for it, but they are cham- dreamed about being Valley Champions and that is now a reality. pions not only on the field but off the field too. They all have great There is no reason why we can’t dream to go to the next level in years to come.”

Spring 2015 MUSD Radiant 5 IT Management or a Doctorate (in a field related to my current MUSD Alumni Then and Now career). My second child is due in about 7 weeks so perhaps I’ll delete my current 5-year plan and just stay home playing in the INTERVIEWS BY GEORGE MARTIN backyard with my babies. JOHN ESCALERA graduated from Madera High School in What kinds of opportunities did the community afford you? 2004. He attended James Monroe and Eastin Arcola prior to go- I suppose it depends on how we define community. The public ing to Madera High. He is currently the Director of Information school system provided me with an outstanding education and Technology for ERC. access to a number of resources: a library, a public pool, technol- Who was your favorite elementary school teacher? ogy, etc. The City of Madera, in a partnership with the Private While I can honestly say I had great teachers every year I attend- Industry Council, provided me with summer work and experience ed, I’d have to say I had a favorite elementary teaching husband/ in a setting outside of farm labor. wife combo. Mr. and Mrs. Horseman were awesome. On a more personal level, several families in the community rounded out my education and enrichment. John and Carol Galvan Who was your favorite 7‑12th grade teacher? treated me like a member of their family and allowed me to hang I’m not sure, I can’t pick a favorite, so let’s go with the most around their home day and night, meals included. The amount impactful. Señora Harada was (or is still) a Spanish teacher for of trouble this kept me out of cannot be measured. David and Madera High. Her classes were very tough, she was extremely Jessie Ruiz did the same, treated me a like one of their sons—if strict, and she didn’t accept excuses under any circumstance. they bought their son a pair of shoes, they bought me a pair as Were you involved in activities in high school? well—and provided some the most fulfilling enrichment activities I was in a “video production” class (at Madera South), which of my life (camping, fishing, formal events, travel), experiences I broadcast the morning news several times per week. Whenever I would not otherwise have had. was chosen to be the morning anchor, I did a terrible job. I knew Do you have any advice for current students? early on that the performing arts were not for me. “The harder you work the easier life gets.” You can either trade What are some of your favorite memories? 5‑7 years of hard work now for 50 years of happiness later, or hang Two memories immediately come to mind, though one isn’t around for the next few years accomplishing little and hope that school or community related. As I was preparing to finish up high the next 50 work out. It’s a gamble either way, so make the decision school, I was all set to join the Marine Corps, not because I was in today and don’t complain about it later. any way motivated to join, but because “college costs money,” or so I had been told so many times before. I figured it was a better NATHAN NUNGARAY graduated from Madera South High alternative than getting any job I could find and hoping it some- in 2014. He attended Lincoln, Nishimoto, and Desmond Middle how became a career. Then came a seemingly random request to School. He is attending Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. meet with a counselor, who informed me that there were several Who was your favorite elementary teacher? ways in which I could pay for college or have it paid for me. This 10-minute meeting altered the course of my life forever. My favorite elementary teacher would have to have been Mr. Gregor. I had him for two years straight since I was chosen to be Where and what colleges have you attended? in a 5th/6th split my 5th grade year, and then continued to have I attended CSU Fresno (B.S. Computer Science) and Western him the following year in 6th. Governors University (M.S. Information Security and Assurance). Who was your favorite 7th–12th grade teacher? Why did you choose your major and career? My favorite teacher from 7th–12th has to be Mr. Horn, my I was always fascinated by technology. However, as every low-in- Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus teacher. He always made math a come student can attest, fascination does not equate to access. I was fun class to be in, also not to mention he was the advisor who led fortunate enough to be provided with access to technology via the the table tennis club, which I became a big part of. public school system along with an awesome G.A.T.E. program. Were you involved in activities in high school? The G.A.T.E. program allowed students like me to finish mass amounts of schoolwork up front, which in turn provided time to I was a part of the table tennis club in high school. I also did explore other areas of interest, such as computer programming. varsity wrestling my freshman and sophomore years, and was a varsity tennis player all 4 years of high school. What position do you hold now? What are some of your favorite I was recently memories? promoted from Se- nior Software Engi- Some of my fa- neer and Analyst to vorite memories of Director of Infor- high school definite- mation Technology. ly had to be on the I also teach Software tennis courts, where Development and In- I got to play and grow formation Security at with my teammates, a local college. who are like brothers to me. We made each What are your fu‑ other stronger and ture plans? always pushed each At any given mo- other to the next level, ment, my future plans and most important- are laid out 5–10 ly stuck together no years in advance. A matter what. couple of items on Why did you choose that list include an your career? attempt at obtaining either an M.B.A. in Though I’m still John Escalera in college and do not Nathan Nungary

6 MUSD Radiant Spring 2015 currently hold a position in a career, I chose to go into the field of (History) and Mr. Aldrich (Pre-Algebra). My favorites in high Graphic Communications mostly because I always loved design. I school would have to be Mr. Pash (History) and Mr. Shine (Hu- constantly came up with a lot of logos and designs in high school, man Anatomy). many of them based on my faith, and I even created some of them Were you involved in activities in high school, and what into t-shirts. Being here at Cal Poly in this major is giving me the are some of your favorite memories? experience and knowledge to take my ideas and successfully print I loved running and the friends I had through running. We them for others. were Valley Champions in Cross Country and came in third at Plans for the future? state my junior year. My plans for the future are still coming to me slowly but surely. Where and what colleges have you attended? Right now, one goal I would love to have is to create a type of brand for apparel and use my designs to give people hope and some faith I earned my bachelor’s degree in chemistry from California and to spread that across to all people. State University, Fresno. I earned my doctorate in Biochemistry at Virginia Commonwealth Univer- What kinds of opportunities sity in Richmond Virginia. did the community afford you? Why did you choose your ca‑ The Madera community was reer? able to afford me opportunities to I started college as a pre-med be a part of and help the commu- major. But three years in, I decided nity. I was a part of the Madera I did not want to be a medical Leo Club, where I was able to help doctor. I was a chemistry tutor raise money and deliver supplies and an athletic tutor while I was a to young students who came from student at Fresno State. Through families where they could not af- those jobs, I realized that I love ford to get school supplies for their teaching. I knew I wanted to teach children or a new pair of shoes, at the college level, so I decided or a coat in the winter. This real- to go to graduate school to get ly opened my eyes to just trying my Ph.D. to help others and be a part of What position do you hold something to make a difference. now? Do you have any advice for I am currently a professor at current students? California State University, Fresno If I have any advice to give in the chemistry department. I students, it would be stay focused teach chemistry and biochemistry and try your hardest. If you keep Dr. Andrea Coronado Gray & family courses. pushing and striving to reach a Plans for the future? goal, you expand the horizon of opportunity. The worst thing you can do is just barely scrape and do the minimal. Applying yourself I enjoy teaching and plan to continue teaching at Fresno State. fully is what ultimately makes you better and grow stronger, not My husband, a fellow Coyote, is a pediatrician. We have three kids just as a student but as a person in general. so our days are pretty busy. How did high school prepare you for college? What kinds of opportunities did the community afford you? High school prepared me for college by giving me multiple I feel there were a lot of opportunities I received growing up opportunities and responsibilities that I had to take time to balance in Madera. When I was in high school, there was a program that in my schedule. This definitely prepared me more for college than paid high school students to go to the elementary schools and I ever thought it would. It showed me that in the real world you help elementary school children with homework and areas they will have to take things upon yourself to get them done and can’t struggled with. This was actually one of my first jobs, and it was always rely on others to tell you to get stuff done. If you want my first experience teaching. I really enjoyed it. success and results, it depends on how much effort you put into Additionally, when I graduated from high school, I received everything you do. a lot of scholarships from the community, which helped me pay Would you recommend your career path to current students? for college. Graphic Communications is very hands-on and on the cre- Do you have any advice for current students? ative side, involving design, advertising, packaging, and basically My advice for current students is to work hard in high school anything else that goes into the printing process, as well as web so that you can attend and graduate from college. A college degree design. I do recommend the major to students just because of opens many doors when looking for a job. A college degree will how interesting I find it to be and the amount of appreciation that also help you find a career that you actually enjoy. anyone can have for how something that is printed looks. We work How did your high school prepare you for college? a lot on computers with Adobe Creative Cloud, and it allows for a I took a lot of college prep courses while in high school. Some lot of ideas, creativity, and inspiration to go into it, and that is the of those classes were Calculus, Anatomy, and AP History. These part I like the most about it. Not to mention, it is actually a huge classes helped me figure out what I was interested in, which helped industry with many job opportunities. me choose my major in college. I liked history so much that I ended up getting a minor in history in college. DR. ANDREA CORONADO GRAY graduated from Madera Would you recommend your career path to current students? High School in 1995. She attended John Adams and Thomas Jefferson before going to Madera High. I would recommend my career path. It was a long road—4 years of undergrad and 4 years of graduate school—but I really Who was your favorite elementary teacher? love what I do. I love teaching, especially when you see a student Mrs. Young was my 5th grade teacher and one of my favorites. really start to understand and grasp a tough concept. My job as a Who was your favorite 7th–12th grade teacher? college professor is also flexible. I am off during the summer and at My favorites in middle school would have to be Mrs. Defina Christmas when school is out. It was worth the time and hard work.

Spring 2015 MUSD Radiant 7 Madera’s Evening Lions Club supports Madera the Aspirations Robotics of Berenda Lego GEORGE MARTIN The Madera High Ro- Robotics Team botics team qualified for the World Championships in St. HALEY WILCOX Louis by placing at their own Celebrating 15 years of promot- regional tournament. For the ing strong relationships with family and last four years, Madtown Ro- community, the Evening Lions Club botics has competed on the has continued to seek out every possi- world stage of the F.I.R.S.T ble act of service to improve Madera’s Robotics Competition. community. Madera’s Evening Lions Madera High’s success is Club is one of the community service a result of excellence in each clubs that has volunteered their time, energy, and efforts in donating scholarships, fundraising, portion of the season. For the awarding grants, and supporting local children, schools, and citizens. first six weeks of each year, Bill Dawson, one of the many charter members and the incoming president of the Evening the team designs and builds Lions Club, explains, “The Evening Lions, as other service clubs in Madera, want to help those a new robot for the annual worthy programs that make Madera the town we are proud to call home. If we cannot provide challenge. Students take one all the funds a program needs, we are willing to make available our combined resources of our part in the design and man- membership to see that the projects come to fruition.” ufacturing process and learn Berenda Elementary’s upcoming Lego robotics team is one of those worthy programs that fundamentals of engineering. the Evening Lions believe in. As a result of their generosity and desire to mentor and encour- At competitions, they are age children to reach their dreams, the exposed to different designs Evening Lions have generously donated and ideas, as well as mentors $500 to support Berenda’s efforts in who work in the engineering raising a Lego robotics team. field. Robotics mentors work Due to the provided funds, Principal in places from NASA to Tes- Carsten Christiansen is able to purchase la Motors and show students Lego kits to allow students to learn how how to be creative and use to build and apply basic engineering sound principles. skills to construct a Lego robot. Shannon Madera High’s own team Vega, a third-grade teacher at Berenda, is run by alumni who teach has been appointed to guide and lead students about using software, a team of students interested in Legos modeling a design, and op- and technology. Mrs. Vega explains that erating high tech machinery the students will begin to “build many that produces metal parts. skills, such as computer programming, Furthermore, being on the problem solving, teamwork, and core team teaches students how to values. In addition, all aspects of STEM cooperate to create the best (science, technology, engineering, and robot possible, a vital skill for math) will be developed.” Mr. Chris- the work force. tiansen and Mrs. Vega both aspire for the students to learn basic programming in conjunction The unique experience of with building a working Lego robot and ultimately competing with other Lego robotics teams Madtown Robotics provides in the Central Valley. its members a head start in Bill Dawson goes on to explain, “The Evening Lions are proud to have financially contributed any engineering career. to the successful Madera High Robotics program, and we felt that Lego robotics will become the feeder program to continue the success of this endeavor.” Diego Saldana, a fourth-grader, is one of the students who are enthusiastic about the formation of the Lego robotics team. Diego explains, “I feel very excited The four pillars of The four pillars of for being the MUSD Strategic Plan the MUSD Strategic Plan the chosen one for our class to be in Lego robotics. I am just so happy IV I that this hap- pened!”

8 MUSD Radiant Spring 2015 Stallion On the Steps of History ANGELICA COSTILLA forget. On February 19, 2015, at Lemoore Over the years, Madera has proven to High School in Lemoore, California, Cara be a town deeply rooted within the wres- won the 2015 Central Section Girl Masters tling community from one generation to Championships, finishing the tournament another, and these roots did not stop sprout- with a 3-0 record. Seeded #2 going into the ing with Madera South’s Wrestling Team central section tournament, Cara defeated during their 2014–2015 season. Winning Brianna Holt of Woodlake by a fall, defeated the CMAC tournament and becoming #3 seed Macy Cardoza of Orange Cove Co-League Champions for the first time by fall in the semi-finals, and defeated #1 ever in the wrestling program history with seed Katelyn Blanchard of Sierra Pacific by their crosstown school Madera High School, fall in the finals. Doing so, Cara became Madera South’s wrestling team set up a the first-ever Central Section Girl Master remarkable path to a journey headed toward Champion for Madera Unified School Dis- much more future success. Yet amongst trict. Of course, Cara’s success was not won this great team shone a special spark this overnight. “Wrestling is a very hard-work- year, one who goes by the name of Cara ing sport, filled with many challenges, but Escobedo. that’s what makes it worth it,” says Cara in Eighteen-year-old Senior Cara Escobedo reflection of her season. has been wrestling for the Madera South Head Coach Sal Gonzalez states that wrestling program for all four years of her although she was very timid at first, “Cara high school career. Involved in numerous believed in herself and knew she could com- friends, and teammates. But Cara does not other activities and sports such as football, pete amongst girls at C.I.F. sanction girl wish to stop there. Planning on going to choir, swimming, and diving, Cara hit home events. Her confidence and self-esteem college after graduation, Cara looks forward with the sport she loves most, making a grew through these last three months in to coming back and helping the same team name for herself that many others will never the sport of wrestling,” which is what the that helped her get as far as she has, while sport is all about. After mastering what she breaking another barrier: becoming one of accomplished at the C.I.F Valley Champi- Madera South’s very first female wrestling onships, Cara moved on to finish in the top coaches. She wishes for all to “follow your 12 in the State of California for girls high dreams and never give up!” Words we can school wrestling at the California State Girls take with a smile. Wrestling Championships held February Statement From Athletic Director 27–28 of 2015. She was one match away Ms. Andrea Divine: “Madera South girls’ from becoming a girl state placer. athletics is flourishing and also promising Cara left the mat this season with a 10-3 for the future. This year alone, we have a record. girls’ section championship and the first When asked how she felt about her sea- girl winning a section title for wrestling. son, Cara humbly notes, “I love wrestling, Our commitment and effort with our girls and for me, participating in the sport has is increasingly improving every day. They given me strength to endure and the confi- work hard, and they know what it takes to dence to succeed no matter how many losses succeed. We are on the edge of breaking along the way.” Cara adds that she could through with more titles. We have the talent not have done it if not for the guidance from to do it. It’s just about changing the mindset her coaches and support from her family, that we’re good enough.”

Teachers Teaching Teachers JONNIE MONTANO that were chosen based on the technology Teachers Association, served as a pivotal needed by the presenter. This event was turning point for the teachers in the district. March 14th was a big day for Madera taught by classroom teachers, making the With such positive feedback from the event, Unified as over 225 teachers jumped at the workshops more interesting and relatable Mrs. Amanda Wade, the main organizer, opportunity to be a part of the first annual to all the teachers who attended. Teachers reported that the process of putting together Professional Development Academy event. were able to gain knowledge and reflect on such a big event was “all worth it in the The day consisted of 4 sessions with 9 to 10 what they felt was need- end.” Along with Mrs. workshops to choose from. Each workshop ed as an educator. As Wade, everyone was very was geared to cover as many teachers as one teacher mentioned, pleased at how the event possible, meaning all different departments “Teachers were excited played out, and they an- and all grade levels (K–12). The online regis- to learn from one anoth- ticipate events like this to tration system allowed staff to choose which er.” Many felt that these be held twice a year every specific workshops they felt would benefit academies were giving year. These academies them the most. This was something very them (the teachers) a plan to continue to al- new for the teachers who attended, since in voice in the education low education to be more the past seven years teachers were unable they were teaching. teacher-driven, while to choose which workshops or conferences This academy, along giving teachers the op- they could attend. with the Common Core portunity to learn from The workshops took place on Madera steering committee cre- one another, which ulti- South’s high school campus in classrooms ated by Madera Unified mately helps the students.

Spring 2015 MUSD Radiant 9 Baseball Scholarships Full Ride Scholarship GEORGE MARTIN to Fresno State ast fall two L , of Madera High’s star athletes signed HALEY WILCOX on for athletic scholarships at well-known valley colleges. Alec Gamboa will be attending Fresno State on a partial As an all-star volleyball player and scholarship, majoring in business, and Tristan Alvarez a champion in character, Brielle Hefner, signed for a full ride to Fresno Pacific University to major a senior at Madera High, was awarded a in kinesiology. Gamboa and Alvarez have both played scholarship to be a Fresno State Bulldog. baseball from a very young age and worked extremely hard Brielle’s passion for volleyball ignited to achieve their dream of playing college-level baseball. when she was in elementary school at Both students attended countless practices and put in an Sherman Thomas Charter School. Her enormous amount of time to become the best players that principal, Tera Napier, a former All they could be. Each player felt that his scholarship adds Wac Player at Fresno State, inspired meaning to his commitment. Both athletes expressed her to try out for the team, and ever gratitude for their opportunities. Alvarez was grateful since then Brielle has been determined because, for him, the scholarship “makes all the work to transform into the best volleyball player she can become. worth it,” and Gamboa was gratified that all his years Enduring discipline and hard work, Brielle became a varsity player on the of baseball paid off. Both players thanked their coaches Madera High team her freshman year, and with continuous improvement throughout their careers for helping them achieve their she has maintained her drive as a varsity athlete throughout her senior year. goals, especially Coach Underwood from Madera High. Brielle was chosen for the scholarship during travel season, also known as off season. During an unofficial visit with her mom and two other teammates, Coach Netherby-Sewell asked Brielle to stay behind in her office. She then found out that she would be honored for all the years of her dedication. Brielle describes her experience as “shocking, an amazing opportunity,” and says she is “extremely happy.” She goes on to describe her experience by stating, “I would have never guessed she was going to offer me a full ride scholarship to Fresno State!” All throughout Brielle’s volleyball career, she has played middle blocker. The last couple of years, she played setter, and currently on her travel team she played outside hitter. Brielle states, “I play whatever the coaches need me to, but I will most likely play outside hitter at Fresno State.” Brielle is thankful for her motivating teams, friends, family, teachers, and coaches. Madera FFA Opens Doors of Opportunities JONNIE MONTANO several more opportunities Madera’s Future Farmers of America out on the farm as well as (FFA) program, currently the 8th largest in the classroom. chapter in the nation, has definitely had its This year, the Madera share of success as they hold various state FFA program had the op- titles. Just this year, they were titled as the portunity to take several of state-winning vine pruning team. Madera their students to the pres- FFA Ag advisors have reported that the pro- tigious Sacramento Lead- gram doesn’t stop there: students get offered ership Experience, where students were assigned to Madera FFA 2014-2015 chapter officers become assembly or senate members and experience teachers who put forth their best effort in the passage of bills. A Madera FFA advi- everything they do. We focus on hands- sor stated, “We are preparing the on learning and always having students with career skills that opportunities for students to allow them to be involved in an The four pillars of specialize in different aspects occupation in agriculture in the the MUSD Strategic Plan of agriculture.” future. We also make it our goal Madera FFA, chartered in to allow personal and leadership 1929, has built itself on these development.” expectations, and we can only Agriculture being the num- expect the best from this pro- ber one industry in California gram as it continues to grow. adds one more reason to join I Madera Unified is definitely the Madera FFA program. very fortunate to have such a When Mrs. Sheehan, Made- respected FFA program that al- ra’s assistant FFA advisor, was lows students to prosper in any asked what makes the Madera future occupation, Ag related 2015 California state FFA tree pruning FFA program so successful, she or not. team L– R: Mark Cavallero, Vanessa replied, “We have students and Maravilla, Virat Kang, Jenae Hansen

10 MUSD Radiant Spring 2015